Alberta Open Farm Days continues to grow both in size and impact.

The province-wide initiative invites Albertans to step through farm gates and experience agriculture firsthand while learning where their food comes from.

The 2025 edition was a record-setter. According to Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies CEO Tim Carson, this year’s event welcomed more than 52-thousand visitors, with several farms reporting their best-ever attendance and sales. Nearly a quarter of participating farms were new to the program, a sign of growing interest in agritourism across the province.

From devastating drought to a destructive storm that tore across the Prairies, 2025 was a year that tested Canada’s farmers and rural communities.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, powered by Alberta Canola, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester sit down with Rural Roots Canada meteorologist David Spence to unpack the biggest weather stories of the year, from bone-dry fields throughout the west to the monster August storm that caused nearly a quarter-billion dollars in damage.

What lessons did we learn, and what could 2026 have in store? David gives his expert insight and perspective, and we share the stories behind the forecasts that shaped a challenging year in Canadian agriculture.

A destructive summer storm that blew through three provinces caused almost a quarter of a billion dollars in insured damage, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada .

The August storm brought large hail, strong winds, and torrential rain, and included confirmed tornadoes in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. In all, it's estimated that the storm resulted in over $235 million in insured damage.

Alberta saw the largest share of losses, with vehicles making up roughly a third of all claims. The hardest hit communities included Brooks, Alberta; Radisson, Langham, and North Battleford in Saskatchewan; and Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Canola growers saw strong yields in 2025, but the year was overshadowed by the trade uncertainty and the financial impact of Chinese tariffs, according to Andre Harpe, Chair of the Canadian Canola Growers Association.

Prairie Weather reports from RRC Meteorologist David Spence.

Prairie Weather reports from RRC Meteorologist David Spence.

Prairie Weather reports from RRC Meteorologist David Spence.

Prairie Weather reports from RRC Meteorologist David Spence.

Prairie Weather reports from RRC Meteorologist David Spence.

In this episode of the Rural Roots Canada podcast, powered by Alberta Canola, hosts Tim Parent and Craig Lester celebrate the season with a look at how Alberta Milk is helping make the holidays a little brighter by partnering with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation to give back in a big way.

Then, Tim and Craig shift gears to the field, catching up with Alberta Canola Chair André Harpe to reflect on the year that was, the challenges producers faced, and what the canola sector can expect heading into 2026.

Compassion, community, and canola, all in one RRC podcast.